The leader of the official opposition has weighed into the controversy around the Schabir Shaik trial, saying Deputy President Jacob Zuma should be charge did any new evidence emerges.

"That would force the state to prove his guilt or, conversely, allow him to prove his innocence," says Democratic Alliance leader Tony Leon.

Addressing the DA's Northern Cape congress yesterday, Leon said South Africa's justice system was on trial with Shaik, Zuma's financial advisor.

"If the cabinet is upset that the medial is speculating about allegations against (Zuma), that is too bad", Leon said. "(He) and the government only have themselves to blame. If (Zuma) is innocent of any wrongdoing, then he should immediately have sued the National Prosecuting Authority and the relevant media for defamation."

Leon said : "There were also other steps that could have been taken. President Thabo Mbeki was asked to widen the terms of reference of the Hefer commission to include allegations of corruption involving (Zuma). He did not.(Zuma) himself could have given evidence to that commission in order to clear his name. He did not."

"In the absence of any legal action taken by (Zuma) to clear his name, we are left to conclude that political pressure may have been applied in order to protect him from prosecution.

"It is therefore no use for the cabinet to complain that he is being tried by the media when the government itself made sure he would not have any other kind of trial."

With acknowledgements to Christelle Terreblanche and the Cape Times.